Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle... ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

Yesterday afternoon, my friend and I drove up I65 all the way from Nashville to Louisville with the top down. (Yes, we did blast country music! And, yes, I did feel like I was in a Carrie Underwood music video!) But, by the time we got to Indianapolis, the 80 degree weather and bright sunshine were distant memories. Perfect weather was replaced by forty degree temperatures, strong winds, storms and the promise of snow in the morning. Oh, Indianapolis, you always seem to welcome me home with the most cheerful of weather....

At home that night, I got out the holiday decorations. And, if I had gone by the weather, I should have put up the Christmas decorations instead of the Easter decorations. Seriously - it feels like December outside! (Don't worry Momma - the faux-chocolate rabbit is perched on the mantel anxiously awaiting your arrival!)

And, as I walked out to my car this morning, I experienced the strange juxtaposition of sleet hitting my face while birds chirped in the trees. And, I swear, I heard one bird say to the other, "What the tweet is going on here!?!"

Vegas in 10 days!!!!!!!

Rolls of Wonder

I love Naked Tchopstix. Damn good sushi. And, their Maui Roll is high up on my list of foods I crave (which includes Nick's Pizza and Schoop's hashbrowns). I don't know who came up with the idea to include asparagus and mango in a sushi roll, but I'm glad they did!

Oh, and their martinis aren't bad either....

Meridian Kessler is going to the dogs!

Driving through the Meridian Kessler neighborhood this morning, I started noticing a pattern.

Every block or so, I saw someone (usually dressed in "athletic attire") walking not one, but two or more dogs along the sidewalks lining the perfectly manicured lawns. And, more often than not, the dogs were of the same breed! There was the man walking two miniature dachshunds while carrying his baby on his back. Or the lady walking three (three!) yorkies as she "hiked" up Penn.

And then, there's the quintessential Meridian Kessler dog: the gold retriever. Who hasn't seen the young couple pushing a stroller and walking their two goldens as they make their way down to Patachou for Sunday brunch?

So, what is it about Meridian Kessler that causes people to get so dog-gone crazy about dogs?

Yum!

I had the most amazing sandwich at lunch today. I've been reading about R Bistro in different Indy blogs, and finally had the chance to try it out myself.

Just some background: I have an obsessive love of peanut butter. I eat it on everything and with everything! So, when I saw a Peanut Butter and Banana Panini on the menu, I swooned. This decadent little panini-that-could had crunchy peanut butter, an entire banana, watercress and thinly sliced apples nestled between two slices of soft bread. I don't even know what watercress is! But damn, it was good!

And there you have it, an ode to a peanut butter sandwich.

pantyhose optional

I spent this morning ruffling through my nightgowns/sports bras/pantyhose drawer (yes - all three of those types of items are in one drawer. it's a big drawer) trying to find a pair of pantyhose that didn't have a run in them or make me look like a ghost from the thigh down.

Ohmigosh - I HATE pantyhose. I run the risk of tearing them every time I put them on. And, for some reason, I have not mastered the ladylike way of putting hose on - two legs at one time? How is this possible? (Thank goodness for thigh highs!!) And, by the time I get home at the end of the day, I guess I'm so delirious from having to wear pantyhose all day, that I don't even notice there is a run in them and they wind up back in my nightgowns/sports bras/pantyhose drawer.

I would like to add that tights are totally okay by me. Since they're thicker, they don't rip as easily, and therefore, are easier to put on.

With all that said, I was late to work today because I was fighting with pantyhose for a good part of my morning. Ugh. Then, because I was rushing, I just threw a coat on and walked out of my place. It wasn't until I was in the elevator (with mirrored interior doors) on my way up to my office that I realized my coat was longer than my dress. All you could see on me was my coat, my pantyhose and my tall boots. No big deal - or so I thought...

As I walked to lunch today, I caught people giving me double takes. Time after time, as I walked down Penn, people were giving me second looks. Yes - I understand that it may have looked like I was only wearing a coat, pantyhose and boots, but come on! What? Like I went to work naked with only hose and boots on? Yeah right!

And, as I walked to happy hour today, and continued to get second looks, all I could do was laugh.

I am SO looking forward to warmer weather where pantyhose (and a coat!) are optional.

Frankfort, Indiana

Eight years after I wore a pink ballgown and white satin gloves at the 2001 Valparaiso's Junior Miss, I finally made it down to Frankfort, Indiana for the Indiana's Junior Miss competition. And, I'd like to say that things haven't changed much. The girls still do a fitness routine and smile at the judges as they do push ups on stage (so awkward!) and then sway back in forth during the poise and presence part at the end. I felt so fortunate to be invited. My dear friend Betsy was a judge at Saturday's competition. Her dad is president of the State Junior Miss Board. And, it's impressive how the entire town of Frankfort embraces Junior Miss. I loved it!

Post competition, all the folks who had a part in putting on Junior Miss met up at a lovely little bar called The Island. In all honesty, The Island is a double wide trailer converted into a small town bar - complete with holiday themed decorations in the entry way! The Island was followed by a trip to The Scoreboard - an equally dive-y bar with a dj and a dance floor. Watch out!

At four in the morning, I was back at Betsy's house, rolling around on the floor with the four little dachshunds (oh - I almost forgot to mention Frankfort's high school mascot is the Hot Dog!) and eating lukewarm pizza. An end to a GREAT night! Thanks Betsy!!

She said WHAT???

So there I am, at my annual doctor's appointment chitchatting with my doctor. My doctor is a nice lady who wants her patients to not only be healthy but also to have an active social life. So, as she and I are discussing me being single, she pointedly asks, "Well, have you tried online dating?" During. The. Exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!